A 29-year-old man was beaten and robbed in his Clapham Common home after inviting a stranger back to his flat.

The man got talking to the robber while leaving Clapham Common South tube on Friday, April 11, and after walking around the area for some time they went back to the victim's flat nearby

The robber, who said he was a writer or poet from Camberwell called Giles, turned violent at about 5am when his victim refused to give him money.

During the attack the victim was tied up with the flex of a portable heater and when he tried to escape from his flat was hit on the head with a bottle and kicked in the head, after which the robber tied him up with an aerial lead, before leaving the flat with various electrical items and CDs.

The victim bit the attacker on his left leg above the knee during the attack, the mark from which should still be visible.

DC David Lonergan, who is investigating the attack, said: "This appears to have been a premeditated attack on a member of the gay community and my concern is that the suspect may have already committed

similar offences before or has the propensity to commit further attacks.

"I would urge anyone who knows of any similar crimes or has any information to come forward as soon as possible."

The robber, described as a "Russell Crowe lookalike", is white, aged about 35, 6ft of athletic build with brown collar length wavy hair.

He was wearing blue jeans with red and white trainers, smelt of cannabis and had three lumps on his forehead.

Anyone with information should contact Lambeth police on 0208 649 2890 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

April 30, 2003 10:30